6th International Symposium Oriental Studies

33 The 6 th International Symposium on Oriental Ancient Documents Studies Heshigtogtahu (Hexige) The Origins of Mongolian Manuscripts Below is an overview of Mongolian manuscripts based on dynasties. Mongol Khanate States Period This was the first generation of Mongolian manuscripts. However, the earliest Mongolian manuscripts that have been preserved are not these man‑ uscripts. The earliest monument that has been preserved is Yisüngge-yin čilaγun-u bičig . Based on its content, scholars considered that it was written in 1225. As a result, the history of Mongolian manuscript had to start from the Mongol Khanate states period. The most representative manuscripts include the following: 1. Yisüngge-yin čilagun-u bičig . 2. The Secret History of the Mongols , or Mongγol-un niguča tobčiyan . 3. Köke debter . 4. The remnants of Khara-Khoto (Black City) Mongolian Manuscripts. 5. The Song of Mother and Child , or Altan ordun-u üisün degereki bičig . Yuan Dynasty The Yuan Dynasty was a period of time when diverse cultures coexisted and developed. Since the dynasty was founded by the Mongol rulers, it was also the time when Mongolian manuscripts flourished in development. The signs of its development are the following. First, the royal court emphasized the use of the Mongolian language. Second, National counselor ’Phags-pa created a “new” Mongol script. From 1269 to 1368, the ’Phags-pa script had been used in official manuscripts. Many inscriptions on monuments, stamps, paiza (gerege), currencies, etc. in ’Phags-pa Mongol script have been pre‑ served. Third, the implementation of ’Phags-pa script by the royal court slowed down the development of Mongolian manuscripts. But during the time of national counselor Chos-kyi od-zer (1410–1420’s), this barrier was overcome and it started another new era of manuscripts written in or trans‑ lated to Mongolian. Fourth, many Mongol, Uyghur, Tibetan literary gurus